The Professional Women’s Hockey League will soon see its newest franchise take the ice at the SAP Center in San Jose, California, marking a historic debut for a Californian team in the league.
A milestone for California hockey
The league, founded in 2023 and officially launched in 2024 with six teams, is set to welcome its fourth expansion club for the 2026‑2027 season. San Jose joins a growing roster of markets that have embraced women’s professional hockey, joining Hamilton, Las Vegas and Detroit as key locations on the PWHL map.
The arrival of the San Jose franchise adds to the city’s rich hockey tapestry, which already hosts the NHL’s San Jose Sharks and their AHL affiliate, the San Jose Barracuda. With three professional leagues now operating under the same roof, the city becomes the only U.S. market to boast such a concentration of hockey talent.
The debut has been met with enthusiasm from longtime advocates of women’s sport. Olympic gold‑medalist Kristi Yamaguchi and former national team star Brandi Chastain, both native to the South Bay, praised the initiative and highlighted the inspirational role models it creates for young athletes.
Yamaguchi, who grew up watching limited professional opportunities for women, said the new team will give girls a tangible pathway to pursue hockey at the highest level. Chastain echoed the sentiment, recalling a childhood without a professional women’s team to look up to.
The league’s leadership underscores a long‑term commitment to building sustainable infrastructure. Amy Scheer, Executive Vice President of Business Operations, noted that the PWHL is investing in community outreach, youth programs and partnerships with local schools to ensure the sport’s growth is inclusive and far‑reaching.
Looking ahead
A player draft scheduled for June will determine the initial roster for the San Jose squad, setting the stage for a competitive inaugural season. As the league continues to break attendance records and set new standards for women’s professional sports, the eyes of the hockey world are fixed on the Bay Area as a catalyst for change.